Holly plant named ‘RutHol2’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Ilex  plant named ‘RutHol2’ is characterized by a combination of its compact, rounded growth habit, its resistance to damage from spider mites, its need for little pruning, its burgundy color new growth, and its ability to be used in large containers with other plants.

Genus and species: Ilex crenata x I. maximowicziana.

Variety denomination: The new Ilex crenata x I. maximowicziana claimedis of the cultivar denominated ‘RutHol2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of aJapanese holly plant named ‘RutHol2’. Seed was collected from an unnamedF1 seedling (female) from the original cross of Ilex crenata ‘SkyPencil’ (unpatented female) x I. maximowicziana #10-8S (unpatented maleparent) plant.

The new ‘RutHol2’ variety is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor (in Watkinsville, Ga.). The objective of theIlex breeding program is to create new plant cultivars with novel formsof growth, good cold hardiness, and resistance to damage from spidermites, insects and diseases.

The new ‘RutHol2’ plant is thus a product of Ilex crenata x Ilexmaximowicziana F1 seedlings. The cross was made in 2010. The collectedseed was sown in fall of 2010 and 276 seedlings were taken to a researchnursery in Dearing, Ga. in spring of 2012. ‘RutHol2’, one of the plantsgrown from the collected seed, was selected for further evaluation insummer of 2014. ‘RutHol2’ has been evaluated for container productionsince 2012.

‘RutHol2’ has been evaluated through trials at a horticultural farm inWatkinsville, Ga. from 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new ‘RutHol2’ variety was by vegetativeterminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Dearing, Ga. andWatkinsville, Ga. since 2014. Observations of the new variety have shownthat the unique features of this new ‘RutHol2’ are stable and havereproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RutHol2’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature andlight intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits represent the distinguishing characteristics of thenew cultivar. In combination, these traits set ‘RutHol2’ apart from allother existing varieties of Ilex known to the inventor.

-   -   1. ‘RutHol2’ has a compact, rounded growth habit    -   2. ‘RutHol2’ produces new growth that is burgundy in color    -   3. ‘RutHol2’ exhibits resistance to damage from spider mites    -   4. ‘RutHol2’ is an excellent foundation plant that requires        little pruning    -   5. ‘RutHol2’ is very good for use in large containers with other        plants

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overallappearance and distinct characteristics of the new ‘RutHol2’ variety.The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized.

The photograph labeled FIG. 1 is a photograph of a three year old (threeyears from cutting) ‘RutHol2’ plant and depicts the overall plant habitof ‘RutHol2’.

The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of a portion ofthe foliage of the ‘RutHol2’ plant of FIG. 1.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER VARIETIES

The new ‘RutHol2’ is a male plant, while, in contrast, Ilex crenata ‘SkyPencil’ is a female plant. ‘RutHol2’ is a slower growing plant than ‘SkyPencil’. In one growing trial, four year old (from cutting) ‘RutHol2’plants growing in the ground averaged about 81 cm high, while five yearold ‘Sky Pencil’ plants averaged about 117 cm high. The height to widthratio of Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ (typical ratio 3.9) and Ilexmaximowicziana #10-8S (unpatented, typical ratio 1.5) is greater thanthe height to with ratio of ‘RutHol2’ (typical ratio 1.0). The leaves ofthe new plant are typically from 2.5 cm to 3.0 cm long in comparison toleaves of ‘Sky Pencil’ which are typically 2 cm to 3 cm long. The leavesof ‘Ruthol1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,905) are typically 3.5 to 4.0 cmlong and ‘Ruthol1’ has a greater height to width ratio.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the Ilex cultivar named‘RutHol2’. Data was collected at a horticultural farm at Watkinsville,Ga. from 3 year old plants grown outdoors in containers. Throughout thisspecification, color names beginning with a small letter signify thatthe name of that color, as used in common speech, where aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 6^(th) edition published in2015 by The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, England.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ x Ilex            maximowicziana (female).        -   Male parent.—Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ x Ilex maximowicziana            (male).-   Habit: Compact, rounded evergreen shrub.-   Size of plant: 3-gal. plant 4 years from cutting.    -   -   A. Height.—76 cm.        -   B. Width.—67 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   A. Color.—Yellow-Green 144A.        -   B. Length.—5-30 cm.        -   C. Diameter.—2 mm.        -   D. Texture/pubescence.—Slightly hispid.        -   E. Shape.—Ridged, 5-sided.        -   F. Odor (of bruised stem).—None.        -   G. Internode length.—0.5-2.5 cm.        -   H. Strength.—Medium.        -   I. Branches.—5-10 main branches with 50-100 lateral            branches.-   Leaf:    -   -   A. Type.—Simple.        -   B. Color (R.H.S.).—1. Upper leaf surface: Emerging leaves —            Greyed-Orange 166A. Mature leaves — Yellow-Green 147A. 2.            Lower leaf surface: Emerging leaves — Grey-Brown 199A.            Mature leaves — Green 137B.        -   C. Mature size (l×w): 2.5-3 cm×1 cm (average).        -   D. Apex.—Acute.        -   E. Base.—Cuneate.        -   F. Margin.—Serrulate.        -   G. Shape.—Elliptical.        -   H. Lobes (present/absent).—Absent.        -   I. Texture/pubescence.—Smooth, no pubescence (both            surfaces).        -   J. Arrangement on stem.—Alternate.        -   K. Venation.—Pinnate.        -   L. Texture.—Leathery.        -   M. Aspect.—30-45°.        -   N. Odor when crushed.—None.        -   O. Leaves per lateral branch.—10-30.-   Petiole:    -   -   A. Length.—4-5 mm.        -   B. Shape.—Hastate.        -   C. Color (R.H.S.).—Yellow-Green 144A.        -   D. Texture/pubescence.—Slightly hispid.        -   E. Diameter.—1 mm.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   A. Type.—Solitary — usually single, occasionally in clusters            of 2.        -   B. Number per plant.—<5000.-   Flower:    -   -   A. Number per inflorescence.—1 — male.        -   B. Axillary or terminal.—Axillary.        -   C. Symmetry.—Regular.        -   D. Height and diameter (l×w): 2 mm×4 mm.        -   E. Fragrance.—None.        -   F. Bud.—1. Size (L×W): 1.5 mm×1.5 mm. 2. Shape: Round. 3.            Color (R.H.S.): Greyed-Yellow 162B. 4. Texture/Pubescence:            No pubescence.        -   G. Blooms.—Late April to mid-May in Athens, Ga. 1.            Longevity: 3-5 days.        -   H. Petals.—1. Number: 4. 2. Size (L×W): 2 mm×2 mm. 3. Shape:            Obovate. 4. Apex: Round. 5. Base: Round. 6. Margin: Smooth,            entire. 7. Color at Peak of Bloom (R.H.S.): Yellow-White            158A. 8. Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no pubescence. 9.            Arrangement: Solitary.        -   I. Pedicels.—1. Color (R.H.S.): Yellow-Green 144A. 2.            Texture/Pubescence: Slightly pubescent. 3. Length: 2 mm. 4.            Aspect: Erect. 5. Strength: Weak.        -   J. Sepals.—1. Number: 4. 2. Size (L×W): 1 mm×2 mm. 3. Shape:            Cuspidate. 4. Texture/Pubescence: Smooth/no hairs. 5. Color            (R.H.S.): Yellow Green 144A. 6. Apex: Round. 7. Base:            Truncate. 8. Margin: Sinuate.        -   K. Stamens.—1. Number: 4. 2. Anther: a) Size (L×W): 1            mm×<1 mm. b) Shape: Conical. c) Color (R.H.S.): Brown            200D. d) Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no pubescence. 3.            Filament: a) Size (L×W): 1 mm×<0.5 mm. b) Color (R.H.S.):            Yellow-White 158A. c) Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no            pubescence. 4. Pollen: Male plant. a) Quantity: Moderate. b)            Color (R.H.S.): Yellow 11B.-   Pest and disease resistance: Resistant to spider mites (Tetranychus    urticae).-   Hardiness: Not fully determined. The plants have been grown in USDA    zone 8. Parental species have survived −5° F. with no damage in    Blairsville, Ga.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Ilex plantnamed ‘RutHol2’ as illustrated and described herein.